Featured Programs

Program 1

Brad Leali

with the Buffalo Jazz Collective Tentet

October 18th, 2019 - Ciminelli Recital Hall, SUNY Buffalo State October 19th, 2019 - West Falls Center for the Arts

Pre-Concert: 7PM | Program: 7:30PM

Our first concert weekend of the season will feature GRAMMY award-winning saxophonist, educator, and bandleader Brad Leali. Leali spent numerous years as musical director for the Harry Connick Jr. Orchestra, as well as time with Count Basie Orchestra. He has appeared on over twenty albums as both a leader and a sideman, and has been featured on the Today Show, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, BET, and the Kennedy Center Honors. Leali currently serves as Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the University of North Texas and tours with Lyle Lovett & His Large Band.

For this program, we are putting together an all-star Buffalo Jazz Collective band to perform Mr. Leali’s original compositions that were arranged for the Claus Raible Bop-chestra, a 10-piece jazz ensemble.

Jazz Impressions: Music in Film Buffalo Jazz Collective Septet

November 15th, 2019 - Ciminelli Recital Hall, SUNY Buffalo State November 23rd, 2019 - West Falls Center for the Arts

Pre-Concert: 7PM | Program: 7:30PM

Our second concert of the season will be split into two weekends in November. It will coincide with JAZZ IMPRESSIONS, a series developed by composer and percussionist John Bacon, Jr. These performances will feature reimagined music of film soundtracks arranged by members of the Buffalo Jazz Collective Septet. Musical selections will include works by Henry Mancini, Antonio Carlos Jobim/Luis Bonfa, Duke Ellington, John Williams, and more.

Bobby Militello 70th Birthday Celebration

March 20th, 2020 - Ciminelli Recital Hall, SUNY Buffalo State March 21st, 2020 - West Falls Center for the Arts

Pre-Concert: 7PM | Program: 7:30PM

Our third concert weekend of the season will be a celebration of Bobby Militello’s 70th birthday. Militello is a beloved figure in Buffalo and spent thirty years as a member of Dave Brucbeck's quartet. He has also played with the orchestras of Maynard Ferguson, Bill Holman, and Bob Florence, and has recorded over thirty albums as both a leader and a sideman.

For this program, we will feature Militello as a guest soloist with the Buffalo Jazz Collective Endectet.

Noto at Ninety with the Buffalo Jazz Orchestra

April 17th, 2020 - Ciminelli Recital Hall, SUNY Buffalo State April 18th, 2020 - West Falls Center for the Arts

Pre-Concert: 7PM | Program: 7:30PM

Our final concert weekend of the season will feature an unsung hero of the trumpet, Sam Noto. Noto is a Buffalo native and has a storied career with the orchestras of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Rob McConnell. After spending years performing in Las Vegas and working with Red Rodney, Noto recorded several albums on the Xanadu label. These performances will feature compositions and arrangements penned by Sam himself.